ThrottleJock

Hey guys, I'm looking for advice or maybe justification for some action.

About 6 months ago my girlfriend’s bike was stolen from her place of work. Cut cable, bike gone. The bike is very unique. It’s designed for her, has unusual sized wheels, lots of custom bits, and one very distinguishing feature – a bike shop sticker from the shop I purchased it at, my buddy’s shop in another state, 700 miles from here. There’s no question in my mind that this is her bike. ZERO. It looks like ****, has been sitting out in the weather for what looks like months and some full-grown ape is riding it as the seatpost is at full extension. It's a miniature bike designed for a girl, and some ****wad man is riding it. Sweet.

I know where the bike lives. I’ve cased it out and it’s parked at the same place every day.

Here’s the problem: I never registered it. I have a proof of purchase but I’m not sure if that will do the trick. What cop cares enough about such an inconsequential crime to take the time to see that the serial number listed on my proof of purchase is the same as the serial number on the bike. Is there anything legitimate I can do to get this bike back and make my girlfriend the happiest little person on earth again ‘cause she got her favorite little custom-built-just-for-her bike back? I will get the bike back one way or another, but I’d prefer to follow the path of righteousness in doing so if at all possible.

ThrottleJock

Oh, and I never reported it stolen because the last bike that I had stolen from me, a $5500 Ti frame Eddy Merckx with Record, was never recovered, the detective "assigned" to the case seemed annoyed when I asked about it and I'm certain the file was just thrown in a file cabinet and forgotten about. Nobody died, it was an inconvenience for nobody but me, I understand and can hardly blame them. Cops aren't paid enough to pretend like they care.

9Rings

Contact the cops. Maybe they'd like to solve some crime, inconsequential or not. Cops love busting people.

Maybe you have a pic of your girlfreind with the bike or something to use as evidence?

matrod

If you have a proof of purchase with serial number, it seems like you have this butt orifice dead to rights. Go talk to a nice policeman and have him/her check it out, I'm sure your evidence will go a long way towards swaying their opinion.

Cynikal 

Go put yor lock on it and call the police.

HotTamale

I dunno, but I'd be thinking of all kinds of creative ways and things to do to this guy. I'd probabaly take measures into my own hands, but that's just me.

sixfive

if you lived in a smaller town I'd be more confident of your chances going the "legal" way, but you might as well start there.

paulv

you say the bike is locked always at the same place every day. how is it locked? take a few friends with you, your proof that the bike is yours, and go liberate the bike. leave a note where the bike was. there's a small chance the current owner is not the thief.

BRANDUNE

Time out duderzzzz.............its been six months, what proof is there that the person who currently has the bike in there possesion is the one who took it?

sfcrossrider

Receiving stolen goods is a crime. Boofu(kinghoo if the new "owner" didn't know.

filtersweep

Bring your own lock, lock it up, then start working on cutting the other lock. If questioned, tell them you lost your key. I would "steal" it back in a heartbeat. The current "owner" cannot prove it is his. While you are messing with it, write down the serial number as proof.

You sure there are no photos of it in her or your possession?

Police will not help unless you have some definite proof of ownership.

SingleSpeeDemon

Boofu kinghoo? Is that Japanese?

ThrottleJock

The chain they're using to lock it is PATHETIC. One of those ridiculous baby chains with green plastic coating that non-bike people buy at k-mart. I'm almost convinced I can crack it by hand.

Just a thought. I'd make sure I had the proof of purchase in my pocket.

ThrottleJock

I've got pics of my gf w/ the bike. That thing's coming back to the homestead.

eMwolB

I agree with Cynikal - lock it up and call the police.
-Don't sit here reading posts...GO LOCK IT UP!!

Boss Moniker

If police get involved and you're willing to put some effort into it, you guys can probably get reimbursed for the damage that it has accumulated. If it's not too serious and just needs an overhaul, I'd say just take it back.

cc700

normally i'd never advise someone to break the law, but in this case, i'd take a day to follow the guy around, when he leaves it in a public place, steal it back.

or go to the cops.

ThrottleJock

I know where he lives, my buddy lives in the same apartment complex and confirmed that the bike's always out there locked to the same post.

I'll get up early as **** one morning, take my trusty bolt cutters and take it back. I'll keep a copy of the receipt in my pocket in case the cops roll by.

Good stuff. My GF is going to be very happy. It'll be a fun project to restore it back to health.

9Rings

Option #1- Steal the bike bike
Result: Your girl gets her bike back

Option #2- Notify the cops.You have proof of ownership by way of serial numbers, right?
Result: Your girl gets her bike back, and as a bonus -- scumbag gets some heat from the boys in blue.

If the cops don't want to play, revert to option #1.

Don't put the beat-down on the guy though, he may have bought the bike for $20 from some other loser.

kiteboarder

Be sure to let us know the outcome of all this!

ThrottleJock

I will. I just called my buddy the bike shop owner to see if he can email me a scanned copy of the sales invoice so I can stop by and pick up the bike on my way home from work haha. I've got a HUGE NY chain/lock set. I think I'm going to stop by and lock it up with that tonight at least just to F with the guy

pino pomo

Don't **** with him too much. He might **** up the ride out of spite. Just be clean and quick. In and out, like a teenage boy's first trip down the love tunnel, except with less humiliation. When you take it back, tape a note to the pole telling the guy he's a turd.

fetch

note should be written on a photo print out of a ****** pictures. thats my imo4u


edit: or lemonparty

kemmer

DON'T lock it up overnight. The guy will probably bust up the bike just to be a dick, or cut your lock and move the bike. There's almost no chance he'll just let it go. Just liberate the bike and be done with it.

pino pomo

Oh, and do some more detective work. Find out which apartment the dude lives in. Pee on his door handle.